Guide rail device for a longwall mining machine

ABSTRACT

A positive guide device for a chain-driven mining machine such as a coal plow. It has upper and lower angle iron frame members with interconnecting rungs between them. The rungs are H-shaped to provide channels for movement of the drive chain.

United States Patent Klaus Spies Dortmund-Wellinghofen;

Johannes Rinio, Herne, both of Germany Appl. No. 32,601

Filed Apr. 28, 1970 Patented Jan. 11, 1972 Inventors AssigneeKlockner-Werke Aktiengesellschaft Duisburg, Germany Priority May 3, 1969Germany P 19 22 669.8

GUIDE RAIL DEVICE FOR A LONGWALL MINING MACHINE 10 Claims, 5 DrawingFigs.

U.S. Cl 299/34 Int. Cl E2l c 25/68 [50] Field of Search 299/32, 34, 43

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,378,306 4/1968 Lobbe299/34 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,245,888 8/1967 Germany 299/34 PrimaryExaminer-Ernest R. Purser Art0rneyStevens, Davis. Miller & MosherABSTRACT: A positive guide device for a chain-driven mining machine suchas a coal plow. It has upper and lower angle iron frame members withinterconnecting rungs between them. The rungs are H-shaped to providechannels for movement of the drive chain.

GUIDE RAIL DEVICE FOR A LONGWALL MINING MACHINE The present inventionrelates to a positive guide device for a mining machine, particularly achain drawn coal plow. This device is adapted to be detachably fastenedin ramplike inclined position on an inclined wall of a face conveyor(preferable a scraper conveyor) facing the coal face. It has in thisconnection vertically, transversely and laterally displaced looplikeguides for a plurality of chain strands of the drawing means and on thebottom there is a longitudinally extending guide slot for connecting thelower chain strand with an extension of the mining machine. This slotcan be covered on top by a bent over upper part of the mining machine.

The known positive guide devices for such mining machines have, as arule, been formed of a heavy steelplate bent in the form of a housingand fastened with brackets and other stiffeners in a detachable mannerto the sidewall of the conveyor. In order to obtain sufficiently stiffand resistant guide devices, a considerable expenditure for material andmanufacture has been necessary.

This object of the present invention is to provide a simple frameconstruction which has sufficient resistance to torsion and can easilybe mounted and monitored which will assure simultaneously the positiveguiding of the mining machine and of the hauling chains.

The positive guide device of this invention is accordingly made with aframe shaped somewhat like a ladder which can be laid against theinclined sidewall of the conveyor. It has longitudinal members(corresponding to the side rails of a ladder when laid sideways) whichform the upper and lower profiled guide ledges which are surrounded bythe mining machine. It also has rung bodies which are spaced at amaximum distance from each other. Each rung has a letter H shapeprovided with looplike chain guide channels which are used as fasteningbrackets.

Such a ladderlike guide frame corresponds in length to a conveyor-troughsection, is simple in construction and manufacture and when made withcorrespondingly strong profiling of the longitudinal member and rungbodies is a flat frame which has substantial dimensional rigidity andresistance to torsion and is particularly well suited for placingagainst the inclined sidewall of a face conveyor. Because of theinclined position and the cooperation with the inclined sidewall of theconveyor, the coal which is loosened and pushed off by the miningmachine passes into the conveyor 21 without any substantial hindrance.The open ladderlike positive guide frame holds the material in loosenedcondition and thereby supports the transfer movement of the material bythe hauling chain. With the open frame, the chains remain positivelyguided in the same way as the mining machine, and in case anydisturbances occur, they can easily be noted and eliminated. Theladderlike construction of the frame of this positive guide devicepermits flexibility in use such as the provision for a ramp plate whichis detachably fastened to the ladder rung bodies.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the longitudinal members ofthe ladderlike frame are formed of shaped iron sections correspondingapproximately to the length of one trough section and the rung bodiesare formed of letter H shaped bodies welded between said longitudinalmembers which are provided with guide channels and fastening means. Thesimple but strong shaped iron sections are spaced apart by the cast ordie-forged rung bodies. Such a ladderlike frame is particularly wellsuited to form curved sections of this positive guide device, or one canfollow any desired change in the ramp angle of the conveyor.

If needed, the ladderlike frame can be made as a single casting,particularly if the lengths of the sections are not made too great.

The frame can be made of standard equal-armed angle iron, approximatelythe same size being used for both the longitu dinal members. These angleirons make possible the formation and defining of the guide channels inthe rung members as well in the guide slot for the plow extension whichwill be connected with the lower chain strand.

When using the ladderlike frame as a positive guide device, it ispossible in special cases to provide bearings on the ends of the lowerguide members and coupling means for two successive longitudinalmembers.

The ladderlike frame for this positive guide device creates a good baseupon which to arrange the upper longitudinal spar of the frame and thisdoes not impede loading to a higher level than the upper edge of thesidewall of the conveyor. In this connection a transfer gap can remainopen below the longitudinal member and a part of the material can bedischarged by means of the conveyor strands towards the conveyor viathis opening in the positive guide device.

Other object and advantages will become apparent from the followingdescription of a preferred embodiment in which:

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a first embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the first embodiment;

FIGS. 3 and 4 show the second embodiment of the positive guide device invertical cross section and in perspective side view respectively;

FIG. 5 shows a third embodiment in perspective side view.

In all the embodiments shown, the ladderlike frames are placed on anddetachably fastened to the sidewall l of a face conveyor which faces thecoal face and is inclined at an acute angle of, for instance, about 45The ladderlike frames consist of the upper longitudinal member 8 used asa guide ledge and the lower longitudinal member 11 also used as a guideledge, and at least two rung bodies 2 which are arranged at aconsiderable distance apart and space the longitudinal members 8 and 11from each other and are welded between them. These welded togetherframes are relatively flat and are substantially parallel on the top andbottom sides.

The rung bodies 2 may be cast or forged or die forged in one piece andhave approximately the shape of a letterH with an upper chain channel 3and a lower chain channel 4. In the region between these chain channels3 and 4, the rung bodies are wider on the bottom to present flattenedwings 6 in the longitudinal direction of the conveyor which have meansfor attachment to the conveyor sidewall. The connection with thesidewall 1 can be effected by bolts 6' the heads of which are insertedin keyholelike recesses in the sidewall of the conveyor, in the regionof the space 5, and the nuts of which lie in depressions in the wings 6of the rung bodies. On the bottom of the rung bodies there are providedprojections 7 protruding between the wings 6 (see FIG. 3), which serveas centering pins and enter correspondingly located recesses in thesidewall of the conveyor. In FIG. 2 the bolts 6' have not been shown.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. I and 2, the upper chain channel 3 isclosed by a standard commercial equal-armed angle iron which forms thelongitudinal member 8 of the frame. The arms of this angle iron arewelded to the two upward-directed arms of the rung body 2. A bent-overextension 11! of the coal plow 9 extends from above over the angle ironof the longitudinal member 8.

The lower longitudinal member 11 is also formed of similar angle iron 11and is identical in cross section with the profile of the upperlongitudinal member 8.

In the above-mentioned construction, the angle irons of bothlongitudinal members 8 and 11 are arranged as mirror images of eachother, the arms being directed towards each other. One arm of the angleiron extends horizontally and the other vertically. The verticallyupwardly directed arm of the lower angle iron is welded to the outerfork arms 12 of the rung body 2. The edge of the lower angle-iron armforms the inner limitation for the lower chain channel 4 in which thepulling strand of the plow chain is guided.

To the lower inner fork arm 13 of the rung body which rests against theconveyor sidewall, there is welded a horizontally extending limitingledge 14 which narrows the chain channel 4 on the conveyor side.Limiting ledge 14 and the lower longitudinal member 11 form a guide slot14 in which the vertically directed connecting part 16 of the lower plowextension 17 slides. The slot is sufficiently narrow so that the plowpull chain cannot move downward out of the guide channel. The distanceof the limiting ledge 14 and of the horizontal angleiron arm from thebase surface of the conveyor is great enough that the plow extension 17has sufficient room for movement without having to lift the conveyor.The upper longitudinal member 8 can also be arranged higher than shownin the drawing and a passage slot for the material to be loaded can beprovided between said longitudinal member and the upper edge of thesidewall of the conveyor.

In the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the upper chain channel3 is closed on all sides in the rung bodies 2. The upper end of the rungbody has in each case a projection 18 on which the angle iron of theupper longitudinal member 8 is placed and welded fast. The angle-ironarms are in this embodiment arranged in roof shape, i.e., each of theminclined downward at an angle of about 45. A bent-over extension 10 ofthe coal plow 9 engages the angle iron of the upper longitudinal member8.

The outer upward directed fork arm 12' of the rung body 2 is welded tothe side of the angle iron of the lower longitudinal member 11'. In thisarrangement, in which the angle iron of the lower longitudinal member isturned outward by about 45 as compared with the angle iron of the upperlongitudinal member, the vertically directed angle-iron arm forms a partof the inner limitation of the lower chain channel 4. This angleiron armfurthennore presents a limiting ledge 14.

In FIGS. 3 and 4 the possibility of connecting together several of thelower longitudinal members 11 is shown. Stop members 19 having boreholes for coupling elements are welded near the end of the angle irons.

The embodiment in accordance with FIG. 5 corresponds essentially to theconstruction of FIGS. 3 and 4. In this case the rung bodies 2 and thelongitudinal members 8 and 11, including the limiting ledge 14' are madeas a one-piece casting.

In FIG. 3 there is shown another embodiment for the guiding of the plowwhich is particularly intended for use in a wall of greater thickness.In this case the plow is equipped with an extension 20 which stabilizesthe position of the plow. The length of this extension which extendsbelow the conveyor can be adapted to the specific conditions. If needed,the extension extends entirely below the conveyor and is provided at itsend with a bent-over guide extension 22. The extensions are constructedin platelike fashion in a known manner. In accordance with this proposedconstruction, a shareless plow can, if need be, be provided with a sharewithout having to change the positive guide device which, as described,is formed with a ladderlike frame.

FIG. 3 shows furthermore the arrangement of the upper longitudinalmember 8 at a greater distance above the upper edge of the conveyorsidewall so that the material loosened by the coal plow can be conductedby means of the plow haulage chains directly into the conveyor.

What is claimed is:

1. A positive guide device for a chain-driven mining machine adapted tobe detachably fastened to the face of the conveyor of said machinecomprising an upper and lower longitudinal member, a plurality of rungsextending between said members and secured thereto, said rungs havingmeans for securing them to the face of the conveyor, each said runghaving vertically and horizontally spaced-apart upper and loweropenings, all said upper openings being in alignment with each other toprovide guide means for the upper course of said chain, all said loweropenings being in alignment with each other and each having a guide slotfor passage therethrough of the machine cutter support which isconnected to the lower course of said chain.

2. The guide device of claim 1, in which said longitudinal members areshaped iron sections corresponding approximately to a trough sectionlength and the rungs are welded between said members.

3. The device of claim 1, including coupling means adjacent at least oneend of at least one of said longitudinal members for attachingsuccessive sections thereto.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the upper and lower members are an leirons and are mirror images of each other, one arm of eac angle "Onbeing parallel to the base of the conveyor and the other beingperpendicular thereto.

5. The positive guide device of claim 4, wherein the edge of the lowerhorizontal angle-iron arm of the lower longitudinal member forms theouter limiting ledge of the guide slot for the cutter support.

7. The positive guide device of claim 4, wherein the lower inner portionof the rung is restrained by a limiting ledge which defines the guideslot for the cutter support on the inside.

6. The positive guide device of claim 5, wherein the lower horizontalangle-iron arm of the lower longitudinal member and the inner limitingledge are spaced from the base surface of the conveyor a distance atleastequal to the thickness of an extension of the cutter support.

8. The device of claim 1, having a closed upper guide channel with theupper longitudinal member secured thereabove in an invertedV fashion.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein the lower longitudinal member is anangle iron having its bottom arm approximately horizontal with its twoedges fastened to the lower inside end of the rung and a guide ledgeprojecting from one side thereof.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein a part of the wall of the lower chainguide channel is formed by the upwardly directed arm of the lowerlongitudinal member and said guide ledge projects into a slot of anextension of the cutter support.

1. A positive guide device for a chain-driven mining machine adapted tobe detachably fastened to the face of the conveyor of said machinecomprising an upper and lower longitudinal member, a plurality of rungsextending between said members and secured thereto, said rungs havingmeans for securing them to the face of the conveyor, each said runghaving vertically and horizontally spaced-apart upper and loweropenings, all said upper openings being in alignment with each other toprovide guide means for the upper course of said chain, all said loweropenings being in alignment with each other and each having a guide slotfor passage therethrough of the machine cutter support which isconnected to the lower course of said chain.
 2. The guide device ofclaim 1, in which said longitudinal members are shaped iron sectionscorresponding approximately to a trough section length and the rungs arewelded between said members.
 3. The device of claim 1, includingcoupling means adjacent at least one end of at least one of saidlongitudinal members for attaching successive sections thereto.
 4. Thedevice of claim 1, wherein the upper and lower members are angle ironsand are mirror images of each other, one arm of each angle iron beingparallel to the base of the conveyor and the other being perpendicularthereto.
 5. The positive guide device of claim 4, wherein the edge ofthe lower horizontal angle-iron arm of the lower longitudinal memberforms the outer limiting ledge of the guide slot for the cutter support.6. The positive guide device of claim 5, wherein the lower horizontalangle-iron arm of the lower longitudinal member and the inner limitingledge are spaced from the base surface of the conveyor a distance atleast equal to the thickness of an extension of the cutter support. 7.The positive guide device of claim 4, wherein the lower inner portion ofthe rung is restrained by a limiting ledge which defines the guide slotfor the cutter support on the inside.
 8. The device of claim 1, having aclosed upper guide channel with the upper longitudinal member securedthereabove in an inverted''''V'''' fashion.
 9. The device of claim 8,wherein the lower longitudinal member is an angle iron having its bottomarm approximately horizontal with its two edges fastened to the lowerinside end of the rung and a guide ledge projecting from one sidethereof.
 10. The device of claim 9, wherein a part of the wall of thelower chain guide channel is formed by the upwardly directed arm of thelower longitudinal member and said guide ledge projects into a slot ofan extension of the cutter support.